News
No shortage of doctors: Dr Waqainabete
Jeshu Lal January 13, 2021 7:20 am
There will be no shortage of doctors following the suspension of scholarships and loans for MBBS and dentistry programs.
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says the time is right to divert state funding to other studies in the medical field.
He says there are more doctors in Fiji today, following six years of funding by the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board.
“We have reached a critical mass in terms of our doctors. About 4-5 years ago, there were about 400 doctors. As I speak now, there are nearly a thousand or more than a thousand doctors.”
Dr Waqainabete says with current levels of staffing, the Ministry has enough trained and qualified doctors to meet the World Health Organisation benchmark.
He does, however, want to put more focus on training the pool of doctors.
“The Ministry of Health aims to support the possibility of training doctors so we have gone really into a place where we are beginning to get the number of doctors and we want to improve the quality of doctors we have.”
Meanwhile, there are currently 790 students on TSLB scholarships and loans studying to become doctors and dentists.
They are expected to graduate and join the medical profession in four years.
Be In To Win A Share Of Over $100,000
Major Prize - 1 of 3 $10,000 Cash. Consolation Prize - 1 of 375 $200 Cash. Learn More
By CCAMATIL FIJI
Claim Your Money Today!
Please click here to check and inform us at [email protected] to help us settle. Check List
By LICI
Extra Weekly Specials
Don't miss out on the amazing specials on offer this week at all Extra branches. Click Here to View
By Extra Supermarket
Spend and Win Postshop Shopping Vouchers
Spend $30 or more at our Postshop or eShop and be in the draw. Shop Online Here
By Post Fiji
